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Wildwood Crest Fire Company

7100 Pacific Avenue
609-729-3031

The development of the Borough of Wildwood Crest closely parallels that of the fire company in the early years. On April 6, 1910, Governor Fort recognized the new Borough of Wildwood Crest. The Borough held its first meeting for election of officers on May 3rd, 1910 and its first council meeting on May 9th. Phillip P. Baker was elected Mayor and served until his death in 1920.
The first meeting for the purpose of organizing a fire company was held on October 13, 1910. Phillip P. Baker was elected president pro-tem. Further meetings on October 20th and 27th of that year brought the final organization with the adoption of the Holly Beach Code for the By-Laws.

W.G. Taylor was the first president of the company, and Samuel B. Taylor served as the first fire chief from November 10th 1910 until August 3rd, 1911. A record of the fire company's incorporation on November 17th, 1910 was recorded on November 23rd, 1910, in Corporation Book Two, Page 470 and continued, in the County Clerk's Office.

The corporate signers were W.G. Taylor, N. Diamond, William A. Thompson, Thomas Cross, William A. Justice, John Gloeckler, Peter Motley, Samuel B. Taylor, Richard Scampton, Russell Hamburg, Harry W. Lare, Joseph F. James, Leslie Haller and Harry L. Nickerson.

On January 2nd, 1911, Ordinance #5 officially established the Wildwood Crest Fire Company in the Borough of Wildwood Crest. Later in the month of January, a charter from the State of New Jersey was recorded in the County Clerk's Office.

During the year, the first borough hall was established at 6106 Pacific Avenue, at Sweet Briar Road. The fire company had use of a garage-type section of the hall, with a room for meetings. This building was leased by the borough from Edwin B. Fagan. The fire company's appropriation from the borough, for that year, was $100.00.

At the October meeting, the company authorized the purchase of an air whistle with tanks and fittings to be used as the first automatic alarm. The company had in its possession at this time a hand-drawn hose cart.
Early in 1912, a hand-drawn ladder cart was built by Cal Augan, and housed with the hose cart. In 1914, a fund raiser in the form of a huge carnival was held at the Crest Pier.

On June 7th, 1915, the trustees approved a loan for the purchase of Herbert Davis' combination chemical and hose wagon. The cost was to be $2,400.00, but an additional $68.00 was appropriated to have a nickel plate finish, rather than plain brass. On July 28th, a check for $468.00 was given to Mr. Davis as part payment. The balance of $2,000.00 was on a note payable to Mr. Davis from the Wildwood Title and Trust Company.

In 1917, a major fire at the old Crest Pier, located at Seaview Avenue and Heather Road, totally destroyed the large frame structure.